Can you treat your child’s epilepsy with a ketogenic diet?

Children with epilepsy have repeated seizures. These are caused by abnormal electrical activity in the brain. This condition is usually treated with medicines. But if medicines can’t control the seizures, a special diet like a ketogenic programme might help.

A ketogenic (or keto) diet is high-fat and low-carbohydrate. There is evidence to suggest that a diet like this may help to reduce seizures.

The science

The diet is very high in fat, and very low in carbohydrates, yet does still include sufficient protein to support normal growth and development in your child. According to the University of Rochester Medical Centre, a ketogenic diet causes the body to make ketones, which are chemicals made from the breakdown of body fat.

In a healthy person, the body generally doesn’t make or need to make ketones. Ketones are an energy source that the body would use only during fasting. This means that for someone who has epilepsy, a ketogenic diet would enable the brain to use ketones for energy rather than glucose – as much as possible.

This is important because ketones are largely water-soluble, so they move easily into the brain, and while the can’t use fatty acids for energy, it can easily use ketones for a large portion of its energy needs.

Ketogenic diet and epilepsy

A keto diet is gaining popularity as a backup plan for children whose epilepsy symptoms are difficult to control using medication alone, or as a treatment for children with seizures when medicine isn’t working properly. Research into how effective the diet may be is still ongoing, but there is evidence to show positive changes in neurotransmitters, gene expression, and influences on neuron receptors.

The diet may not work for every child, but some children become seizure-free when they start eating this way. Some may stay on it for many years. Your child’s doctor can help determine if the diet is right.

Diet menu

A dietician can help you figure out exactly what your child needs to eat, and how much of it. The ketogenic diet is relatively low in important nutrients, so your child may need supplements like Vitamin D, folic acid, iron, and calcium.